Nyssa sylvatica plant named &#39;NSMTF&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Black Tupelo tree named ‘NSMTF’ substantially as herein shown, illustrated and described, characterized particularly as to novelty by its deep, dark, lustrous foliage in summer and brilliant red leaves in the fall while having pyramidal growth habit, and a strong central leader with full scaffolding branch structure. This form difference, along with unique foliage colors makes my selection uniquely different from all known patent selections and seedlings.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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Latin name of genus and species: Nyssa sylvatica.

Varietal denomination: Black Tupelo tree which I have named ‘NSMTF’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of BlackTupelo tree (Nyssa sylvatica), which I have named ‘NSMTF’.

Discovery

The new Nyssa sylvatica is a product of chance discovery. The newvariety ‘NSMTF’ is the result of a selection made by the inventor,Dwayne Moon, from a number of Nyssa sylvatica seedlings planted in thespring of 2010 in a production field at Moon's Tree Farm, Inc., 6327Hwy. 20, Loganville, Ga. in Walton County. Originally the seedlings werepurchased in 2008 from a nursery in Florida which takes seeds collectedin the wild, sows them in seed beds, lifts them and distributes them atthe end of the year as Nyssa sylvatica bare-root seedlings. Evaluationof this tree continues in a field at Moon's Tree Farm, Inc., 175 HappyHollow Rd, Washington, Ga. in Wilkes County.

Propagation

‘NSMTF’ was asexually propagated by the method of grafting at mydirection in the summer of 2013 at Moon's Tree Farm in Loganville,Walton County, Ga. This propagation from grafting and resulting progenyhas proven the characteristics of my new variety to be geneticallystable. Furthermore, these observations have confirmed that my newvariety represents a new and improved variety of Black Tupelo tree asparticularly evidenced by the pyramidal growth habit with a strongcentral leader; it has full scaffolding branch structure; and it hasdeep, dark green lustrous foliage in summer and brilliant red leaves inthe fall. These genetic traits can be consistently reproduced by asexualpropagation.

Uniqueness

‘NSMTF’ was discovered in a block of seedling Black Tupelo trees(unknown Nyssa sylvatica parents) purchased by Moon's Tree Farm, Inc.from a supplier of seedling liners in Florida. I claim that the geneticcharacteristics of this tree are the result of naturally occurringcross-pollination. Due to the nature of the seedling purchase,comparison of surrounding cross pollinators is not known. Thecharacteristics of my new tree distinguish it from other typicalseedling Black Tupelo trees and the known cultivars. At the time thistree was selected, I observed ‘NSMTF’ Black Tupelo tree as a 2 inchcaliper tree exhibiting pyramidal growth habit with a strong centralleader; it has full scaffolding branch structure; and it has deep, darkgreen lustrous foliage like (RHS 131A) in summer and brilliant redleaves in the fall like (RHS 42A to RHS 43A to RHS 44A). The remainderof the trees in this block had medium green foliage color with pendulousbranching.

Use

‘NSMTF’ was observed for a period of several years and is believed to beparticularly useful as a specimen tree in commercial and residentialareas, for street tree planting and in large areas such as golf courses,commercial sites and parks. ‘NSMTF’ will also benefit growers who willprofit from the desired look of a high quality tree due to its pyramidalgrowth habit with a strong central leader; it has full scaffoldingbranch structure; and it has deep, dark green lustrous foliage in summerand brilliant red leaves in the fall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Background

Seedling black tupelo trees are somewhat pyramidal in youth and areusually not well-branched, with many of the branches being pendulous. Asthe trees mature, the spreading and often horizontal branches will forman irregularly rounded or flat-topped crown with great variation inmature habit. Mature native black tupelo trees are typically 30-50 feetin height with a spread of 20-30 feet; some native specimens can reach100 feet or more in height. In nursery settings, black tupelo treesoften require a significant amount of effort to maintain a centralleader. My black tupelo tree ‘NSMTF’ is an improvement over the speciesin that it has a pyramidal growth habit with a strong central leader; ithas full scaffolding branch structure; and it has deep, dark greenlustrous foliage in summer and brilliant red leaves in the fall.

Black tupelo tree is native to the eastern United States from Maine,central Michigan to southern Florida and to east Texas. It grows in avariety of sites from the creek bottoms of the southern coastal plainsto 3,000 foot high ridges in North Carolina. This variety grows best inwell-drained, light-textured soils on low ridges of second bottoms andon high flats of silty alluvium, preferring lower slopes and terraces inthe Southeastern United States. In upland areas it grows best in theloams and clay loams of lower slopes and coves. It has a slow to mediumgrowth rate with 12 to 15 feet over a 10 to 15 year period with atypical height of 30 to 50 feet and 20 to 30 feet spread. It has amedium green leaf in summer changing to yellow to orange to scarlet topurple colors in the fall. My new cultivar differs from the species inthat it is asexually reproduced with pyramidal growth habit with astrong central leader; it has full scaffolding branch structure; and ithas deep, dark green lustrous foliage in summer and brilliant red leavesin the fall. The ultimate height and width of ‘NSMTF’ is not known. Iexpect my new variety of black tupelo tree ‘NSMTF’ to perform as well asthe species.

Industry Representation

Cultivated black tupelo tree is predominantly represented in theindustry by seedling material reproduced sexually through seedproduction and seedling establishment with some cultivars. This accountsfor a high degree of variability in the industry, both in the landscapeand nursery. Seedling black tupelo tree is variable in growth rate,habit, and leaf characteristics, and overall consistency is difficult tomaintain in a production system. The Manual of Woody Landscape Plantslists eighteen black tupelo cultivars. Of these, only the following aresimilar to the present cultivar ‘NSMTF’ in that they have red fallcolor: Nyssa sylvatica ‘NXSXF’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,391 Forum™(hereinafter referred to as “Forum™”), Nyssa sylvatica ‘Miss Scarlet’(hereinafter referred to as “Miss Scarlet”), Nyssa sylvatica ‘HaymanRed’ Red Rage® (hereinafter referred to as “Red Rage®”), ‘Red Red Wine’(hereinafter referred to as “Red Red Wine”), Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wildfire’(hereinafter referred to as “Wildfire”), and ‘Wisley Bonfire’(hereinafter referred to as “Wisley Bonfire”). Also popular in theindustry are the following new cultivars of black tupelo trees which areNyssa sylvatica ‘David Odum’ Afterburner® Tupelo (hereinafter referredto as “Afterburner®”), Nyssa sylvatica ‘PRP1’ Fire Master™ (hereinafterreferred to as “Fire Master™”), Nyssa sylvatica ‘JFS-Red1’ Firestarter®(hereinafter referred to as “Firestarter®”), Nyssa sylvatica ‘Nsuhh’Green Gable™ (hereinafter referred to as “Green Gable™”), Nyssasylvatica ‘JFS-PN Legacy1’ Gum Drop® (hereinafter referred to as “GumDrop®”), and Nyssa sylvatica ‘WFH1’ Tupelo Tower™ (hereinafter referredto as “Tupelo Tower™”) . Forum™ has a dominant leader with conicalhabit. The present cultivar ‘NSMTF’ differs from Forum™ in that ‘NSMTF’has a dominant central leader with a pyramidal habit. There is nomention of the growth habit of Miss Scarlet or Red Red Wine. Red Rage®is pyramidal but becoming more rounded with age. The present cultivar‘NSMTF’ differs from Miss Scarlet, Red Red Wine, and Red Rage® in that‘NSMTF’ has a dominant central leader with a pyramidal habit. Wildfirehas a conical growth habit or sometimes flat-topped crown with manyslender nearly horizontal branches. The present cultivar ‘NSMTF’ differsfrom Wildfire in that ‘NSMTF’ has a dominant central leader with apyramidal habit. Afterburner® has an upright pyramidal to oval habitwith bright green, glossy leaves. The present cultivar ‘NSMTF’ differsfrom Afterburner® in that ‘NSMTF’ has a dominant central leader with apyramidal habit along with deep, dark green lustrous foliage like (RHS131A). Firemaster™ has a broadly pyramidal habit but lacks a dominantcentral leader; therefore, the present cultivar ‘NSMTF’ differs fromFiremaster® in that ‘NSMTF’ has a dominant central leader with apyramidal habit. Firestarter® has a narrow oval habit with a dominantcentral leader. The present cultivar ‘NSMTF’ differs from Firestarter®in that ‘NSMTF has a pyramidal shape with a dominant central leader.Green Gable™ has upwardly sweeping lateral branches forming a pyramidalhabit with glossy dark green leaves like (RHS147A) in the summer. Thepresent cultivar. ‘NSMTF’ differs from Green Gable™ in that ‘NSMTF has apyramidal shape with a dominant central leader and a deep, dark greenlustrous foliage like (RHS 131A). Gum Drop® has a compact, upright ovalhabit. The present cultivar ‘NSMTF’ differs from Gum Drop® in that‘NSMTF has a pyramidal shape with a dominant central leader. TupeloTower™ has an upright columnar habit. The present cultivar ‘NSMTF’differs from Tupelo Tower™ in that ‘NSMTF’ has a pyramidal shape with adominant central leader. The present cultivar ‘NSMTF’ differs from theaforementioned varieties in that ‘NSMTF’ has the most deep, dark,lustrous foliage in summer and brilliant red leaves in the fall whilehaving pyramidal growth habit, and a strong central leader with fullscaffolding branch structure. This form difference, along with uniquefoliage colors makes my selection uniquely different from all knownpatent selections and seedlings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs depict the color of the tree and foliage ofmy new black tupelo tree as nearly as is reasonably possible to make thesame in a color illustration of this character.

FIG. 1 taken in the production field of Walton County, Loganville, Ga.in October 2013 shows the claimed cultivar;

FIG. 2 taken of a field block shows the progeny of my new variety;

FIG. 3 shows the overall fall color of the claimed cultivar;

FIG. 4 shows the summer foliage of my new variety;

FIG. 5 shows the new growth foliate of my new variety;

FIG. 6 shows the strong central leader and pyramidal growth habit of mynew variety;

FIG. 7 shows the trunk and bark of my new variety;

FIG. 8 shows the seed pod of my new variety;

FIG. 9 shows the side by side foliage comparison of the deep, dark greenlustrous foliage of the claimed cultivar compared to the lighter greenof the seedling black tupelo tree;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Botanical Description of the Plant

The following is a detailed description of ‘NSMTF’ Black Tupelo treewith color terminology in accordance with The Royal Horticulture Society(R.H.S.) Colour Chart except where the context indicates a term havingits ordinary dictionary meaning.

The named cultivar has not been observed under all growing conditions,and variations may occur as a result of different growing conditions.All progeny of my new variety, insofar as have been observed by theinventor, have remained genetically stable in all characteristicsdescribed hereinafter. Other than as set out hereinafter, as of thistime, no other characteristics have been observed by the inventordifferent from common Black Tupelo trees.

-   Scientific name: Nyssa sylvatica ‘NSMTF’.-   Parentage: Naturally occurring cross-pollinated seedling of unknown    origin, black tupelo tree growing in a cultivated area of Moon's    Tree Farm, Inc. in Washington, Ga.-   Propagation:    -   -   Root description.—The named cultivar is grafted onto            seedling rootstocks, so the root system is expected to be            typical of the species, which is somewhat coarse.-   Tree:    -   -   Growth habit.—Pyramidal with full scaffolding branch            structure and a strong central leader.        -   In a container or in the ground.—In ground.        -   Height.—Approximately 30 foot at 5 years.        -   Plant spread.—Approximately 15 foot at 5 years.        -   Growth rate.—Height to width ratio 2-1. Average caliper            growth rate between ¾ to 1 inch per year.        -   Trunk diameter.—Approximately 7 inch caliper measured at 12            inches above the ground at 5 years. Rises through the canopy            and maintains a central leader.        -   Trunk.—Trunk bark texture: Ridged with furrowed            characteristics. Trunk bark color: greyed-green like (RHS            188C).-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Type.—Simple.        -   Sheen.—Satiny to slightly glossy.        -   Shape of leaf blade.—Ovate.        -   Leaf apex shape.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf base shape.—Cuneate.        -   Leaf margin characteristics.—Entire.        -   Description of any leaf pubescence.—None.        -   Leaf length.—7.5 cm to 10 cm.        -   Leaf width.—2.5 cm to 4 cm.        -   Leaf internode length.—About 3.2 cm.        -   Leaf venation description.—Pinnate.        -   Petiole length.—1 cm to 2.5 cm.        -   Petiole diameter.—2.9 mm.        -   Petiole color.—Green like (RHS 145A).        -   Overall shape.—Ovate.        -   Margin.—Smooth.        -   Tip.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Spring leaf color.—First emerging leaves are yellow green            like (RHS N144B).        -   Summer leaf color.—Upper leaf surface is a deep, dark green            lustrous foliage like (RHS 131A) while the lower leaf            surface is greyed-green like (RHS 138B). The center vein is            yellow green like (RHS 146C).        -   Fall color.—Fall color red like (RHS 42A to RHS 43A to RHS            44A).        -   Pubescence.—Glabrous.-   Flowers:    -   -   Overall.—The tree is dioecious and has only male flowers.            About ten to twelve small flowers are borne in head-like,            globose racemes. These globose racemes average 16 mm in            diameter.        -   Shape.—Individually, each flower is a very small whorl of            stamens.        -   Size.—Individual flowers have an average diameter of 8 mm.        -   Color.—Yellow-green like (RHS 145A to RHS 145B.        -   Petals.—None observed.        -   Sepals.—About eight sepals arranged in a single whorl.            Length: About 1 mm. Width: About 0.5 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex:            Acute; reflexing. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color: yellow-green like (RHS            145A) to (RHS 145B).        -   Stamen.—About eight to ten per flowers. Filament length:            About 2 mm to 3 mm by 0.5 mm in diameter. Filament color is            yellow-green like (RHS 154B).        -   Anthers.—Broadly oval but slightly irregular in shape, 1.0            mm long by 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm in diameter. Color is            yellow-green like (RHS 154B).        -   Pollen.—Yellow like (RHS 10B).        -   Pedicel.—Length 4 mm to 5 mm; diameter 0.5 mm; color            yellow-green like (RHS 144B).        -   Peduncle.—1 cm to 2 cm long by 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm diameter.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Flowering season.—Flowering in early to mid-April.        -   Flower longevity on plant.—Individual flowers last about ten            days to two weeks on the plant; flowers not persistent.-   Buds:    -   -   Terminal flower buds.—Length: about 5.9 mm. Diameter: about            4.1 mm. Color: Brown like (RHS 200A). Texture: Smooth,            glabrous.        -   Lateral flower bud.—Length: About 4.4 mm. Diameter: about            2.9 mm. Color: Brown like (RHS 200A). Texture: Smooth,            glabrous.-   Fruit: None observed.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

Fruit: Subglobose to ellipsoid, medium green like (RHS 138B) 3 cm longand 2 cm wide, cone-like aggregate with separate pointed carpels, eachwith two dark red seeds like (RHS 44B).Pathogen and pest resistance: Trees of the new Nyssa have been notobserved to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Nyssa trees.Temperature tolerance: Trees of the new Nyssa have been observed totolerate high temperatures about 40.5° C. and low temperatures about−18.9° C. when grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 6. The new variety issuitable for growing in USDA zones 4 through 9.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Black Tupelo treenamed ‘NSMTF’ substantially as herein shown, illustrated and described,characterized particularly as to novelty by its deep, dark, lustrousfoliage in summer and brilliant red leaves in the fall while havingpyramidal growth habit, and a strong central leader with fullscaffolding branch structure. This form difference, along with uniquefoliage colors makes my selection uniquely different from all knownpatent selections and seedlings.